Eastenders fans have 'heartstrings pulled' after change made to soap

THE LATEST EPISODE SAW LAUREN BRANNING RECEIVE WORRYING NEWS ABOUT HER BABY 20:04, 21 May 2025Updated 20:31, 21 May 2025 EastEnders fans said they had their ‘heartstrings’ pulled as major

change was made to the show’s iconic theme music. It was a busy evening on the BBC soap with the entirety of Wednesday’s (May 21) episode dedicated to Lauren Branning in her pursuit to get

her baby son Jimmy medical treatment. Lauren has had a difficult week to date, with her convinced that her and Peter Beale’s son is unable to see, just weeks after he was welcomed into the

world At the hospital, Lauren demanded that somebody examine Jimmy. While Peter was left panicking when he and their other son Louie arrived home and Lauren wasn't there. After

revealing earlier in the week that he fears Lauren’s past addiction issues will impact their children, Peter became even more worried when Louie innocently said he’s seen his mum taking

pills. As Lauren became increasingly agitated at the hospital, her midwife Hannan spotted her and intervened. Hannan rang Peter, who told her his fears that Lauren was using again. Article

continues below Peter eventually arrived at the hospital with his dad Ian and Lauren’s friend Linda Carter, but Lauren was furious that by his claims that she’s using. It turned out she had

just been taking folic acid, not illicit drugs. Putting their differences aside for Jimmy, the parents were left floored by the news their baby is severely sight impaired, with Peter leaving

Lauren on her own. Despite the worrying news, Lauren promised Jimmy alone in the bathroom that she will never take any drug again and asked him to forgive her. With Jimmy finally being able

to latch on to breastfeed for the first time, the show opted not to use its traditional doof doof outro. Instead the screen cut to black as the credits rolled with a lullaby version of the

BBC soap's theme music by composer Simon May playing. The emotional episode left everyone watching feeling a little worse for wear, with fans on the EastEnders Reddit page praising the

programme for tackling the subject. @ebichuman5 said: “Really powerful performance from Jacqueline Jossa today. I think too often women’s concerns can get brushed aside under the guise of

reassurance.” @definiteRose added: “Gosh that episode ruined my morning. Brilliant but pulled my heart strings.” @warm_Astronomer_9305 wrote: “Wow that episode hit really hard as a mother,

it feels exactly like this. It’s an impossible amount of hoops to jump over.” @machdel posted: “Jacqueline Jossa is great. Lauren deserves better than Peter.” Article continues below

@patient-Platypus-585 commented: “I loved today’s episode. That receptionist did the role well- a true depiction of how some of them are these days. A lot of issues are swept under the

carpet.” @SJSSOLDIER stated: “Holy lord. That was a POWERFUL episode. Wow.”